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When you live in a country like Bahrain then you know how high the temperature can get, particularly during the summer months. When the climate is this hot and humid it’s essential that buildings are kept cool in order to keep people comfortable and give them an escape from the hot, humid air outside. That’s where thermal insulation comes to the rescue….

What is thermal insulation & how does it work?

When people hear the term ‘thermal insulation’ they often associate it with keeping buildings warm in cold climates. Whilst this is one type of insulation, this is not the only way in which it is used. Contrary to common belief, thermal insulation can also be used to keep buildings cold in hot climates. Your next question is likely to be, well, how?

Thermal insulation works by slowing down and reducing the transfer of heat from one space to another. This means that in hot climates, thermal insulation reduces the transfer of heat from the outside air to the inside of a building. As a result, it prevents the building from overheating.

You can probably imagine why it’s so important to keep buildings cool, however, there are a couple of additional benefits to thermal insulation that you might not have considered. With this in mind, let’s take a closer look at all the reasons it’s so important in a hot climate.

Why is thermal insulation so important?

Keeping people cool and comfortable

Whether you’re at home, in the office, or in a shared public space such as a gym or theatre, you want to feel comfortable. It’s essential that buildings create a cool environment so that everyone can get on with their day-to-day errands and activities, no matter how hot it is outside. That’s why it’s so important to think about thermal insulation at the very start of the construction process.

Ensuring safety

Keeping people cool isn’t just about comfort, it’s also a safety issue. Overheating in a hot building not only makes people feel uncomfortable, it can also make them feel unwell. Overheating can cause fatigue, dizziness, nausea, and headaches among other symptoms. Ensuring homes and public buildings maintain a low temperature is therefore hugely important, particularly in allowing people to cool down when they come in from the heat and humidity outside.

Reducing energy costs

Using insulating materials in a construction project is also crucial for reducing long-term energy costs. If a building has been properly insulated it will be naturally cooler inside. This reduces the need to spend lots of money on additional thermal comfort features such as air conditioning systems. These can be very expensive and are less efficient than thermal insulation.

Helping the environment

Thermal insulation is not only a cost-effective option it is also an energy-efficient one. Air conditioning units, particularly large-scale ones used in public spaces, require a large amount of energy to keep them running 24/7. As a result, they contribute to CO2 emissions and when used excessively are harmful to the planet. Reducing the need to install air conditioning by replacing it with thermal insulation is, therefore, an eco-friendly choice to make in a construction project.

Thermal insulation materials at Al Manaratain

Knowing the importance of thermal insulation in hot climates like Bahrain, our concrete blocks are made with outstanding thermal properties.

Insulated blocks

Manufactured with expanded polystyrene inside, our insulated blocks have an exceptionally low U-Value meaning they prevent excessive heat absorption and reduce heat transfer from the exterior to the interior. Reducing the need for air conditioners, Al Manaratain’s insulated blocks are used widely in both government and private projects.

Lightweight blocks

Made using a specialist, expanded clay aggregate known as “LECA”, our lightweight blocks are also relied upon for their exceptional thermal qualities. The low density, internal structure of lightweight blocks gives them a calorific capacity that is twice that of cellular concrete. This makes them a cost-effective and energy-efficient option for a variety of construction projects.
If you have any questions regarding the thermal properties of any of our concrete products please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today.